The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Most people are paying attention to the Olympics right now and not so much on a tournament that won't get started for another two years. But after witnessing the 2007 U-20 championships and the possibility of getting an MLS franchise in Ottawa, it made me think about Canada's chances on the world stage of soccer. No team has represented Canada at the World Cup since 1986, a very long time ago. What are the odds this time that can change?

Turns out Canada has, according to many sports journalists, one of the best teams they've assembled in some time, and have a legitimate chance to make it to South Africa in 2010. Only three teams representing CONCACAF (North & Central America as well as the Carribean) can participate, with the chance of a fourth team depending on a series playoff with the 5th placed South American team. As it stands, 12 teams remain in CONCACAF qualifying and Canada is grouped with Mexico, Honduras and Jamaica, considered the toughest out of the three groups.

So two teams out of this group will advance after each team plays each other twice, and Canada only managed to tie Jamaica 1-1 in front of a sold-out Toronto crowd in their first match. It was an exciting game with a lively crowd, capped by many near misses by the Canadians who had an unfortunate goal scored on them to only get one point for a draw. Canada does need to get some points against Jamaica as well as Honduras, as Mexico is considered the giant and should advance with little problems.

Consider the SBP archives your Canada 2010 World Cup qualifying headquarters. I intend to watch every match (had to hunt a little for it last night, it was on Sportsnet Pacific) and report on how they do. You can see the talent on the field, and if they had a few bounces go their way last night they would have easily had the victory. Hopefully they'll tighten it up and advance to the final six.